I've had a lot of symptoms that resemble lupus and I'm trying to determine if my past "rash" experiences sound like possible lupus.

When I moved to a tropical location the first thing that happened is I would break out in rashes all the time. I do admit I stayed out in the sun for a while, but I was pretty young and that what kids my age did. I think the first major rash occurred a month after I got there and it was all over my chest and abdomen, the rash didn't go away for a couple of months. I didn't really think anything about it, just assumed it was an allergic reaction, but now that I think of it a rash from an allergic reaction wouldn't last that long.

The second bad rash I got happened 2 years after moving to this location. I had a fever for a few days for no explained reason, and then I broke out in a rash all over head to toe. The rash was not itchy, and I went to the doctors, she didn't know what was going on and told me to basically take some benadryl and "wait and see" the rash eventually went away about a month later.

Other than those 2 instances I haven't had any other really bad rashes. I do get a lot of little rashes on my face, neck, upper chest, and occasionally arms. I'm wondering do these rash things sound like a possible sign of lupus? or maybe something else?

Ebkie, Hi & welcome. I learned the hard way that the best-known rash seen in lupus, the ACLE butterfly facial rash, is not the ONLY possible lupus rash. There are others, and here are a few of them.

1. "ACLE widespread" is an acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus rash that goes beyond just the face.
2. "SCLE annular" is one form of subacute cutaneous LE rash. The lesions look like red circles with clear centers. However, this rash can first present as only papules (meaning red raised bumps), then in later episodes, the papules start expanding into circles, before losing circularity and fading.
3. "SCLE papulosquamous" is another form of subacute cutaneous LE rash. It sort of looks like psoriasis, but isn't.
4. "Discoid" lesions, unlike the above, by definition scar &/or depigment.

And there are other kinds---tumid, bullous, etc.---but the butterfly & the above four are probably the most common.

About your rashes: has any dr. seen them recently, even though you describe them as "little rashes"? What other symptoms/problems have you had? Have you read the ACR criteria? (Look at the "sticky posts" at the top of the thread list, which contain info on how lupus is diagnosed, symptoms, tests, etc.).

You could also do a little reading. There are several excellent lupus hardcovers in most libraries & bookstores. Look for Dr. Daniel Wallace &/or Dr. Robert Lahita. Both discuss rashes, plus everything else that can happen in this disease. (Lupus has such a HUGE range.) Anyway, we'll all look forward to hearing more, OK? Bye for now. Sincerely, Vee

P.S. I was Dx'ed with the SCLE "subset" of lupus, based on skin biopsy findings from my targetlike rashes & testing positive for the anti-Ro autoantibody---plus other chronic problems common in lupus. Mine is considered relatively mild (I have no involvement of major organ systems). And I've done MUCH better on Plaquenil and sun avoidance. I still flare & have pain & fatigue, but that's a big improvement over the old days!

Thanks for your response!

As far as other symptoms go I've have or have had int he past: kidney problems, arthritis, pleurisy, possible seizures (doctors are not quite sure on this one), chronic migraines, and frequent mouth ulcers.

The SCLE annular rash sounds very similar to the one I experienced the second time around.

And no I haven't seen a doctor recently about my rashes. Maybe I will next time another one pops up.

Ekbie, DO IT! Meaning, see a doctor! You really don't have to wait for a rash, you know...! I'm only a patient, but honestly? The things you cited sound so autoimmune-ish to me.

And, if there's a dignified way to do so, maybe you can ferret out if the doctor has even HEARD OF the SCLE/anti-Ro type of lupus. That was a huge problem for me. Living all of 30 miles from a huge metro area, I kept doctoring locally. Thinking I was choosing doctors wisely, I went to a dermie who was also chief of staff at a huge hopsital in the nearby huge city. Well, more fool me! She told me to get rid of my dog (fat chance). And that was one of my BETTER appointments. :D

I finally took myself to a teaching hospital rheumie, over the heated objections of my local drs. He took one look & roared into action: new bloodwork & urinalysis, plus one final skin biopsy by a dermatopathologist.

At that point, I was anemic; and struggling with fatigue, pain, migraines, constant urinary & GI problems. I weighed not much over 100 (and I'm tall). This is another way of saying that, despite the misleading name, SCLE is not "nothing". It's NOT "skin-only". It overlaps substantially with SLE, but it is believed that the odds of brain & kidney problems are lower in SCLE than in SLE. Point is, the whole range of problems seen in SLE is possible, so one does need to take it seriously.

I've met only one other woman in person who had annular SCLE rashes. She, however, was ANA-positive. (I stayed ANA-negative, which happens to some people with anti-Ro, I was told.) This woman ALSO tested positive for antiphospholipid syndrome, which is important to know, as it's a clotting disorder, and can cause migraines, strokes, etc. (FYI, there's a sticky post on APS at the top of the thread list.) She also had struggled for years with chronic problems & had a tough time finding answers.

I know there are a few others here who were Dx'ed with SCLE. Plus a whole lot of others diagnosed with SLE (the more classic kind). Plus undiagnosed people. We're all here, anytime you feel like writing. Bye for now. Let us know how you're doing, OK? With my best, Vee

Yes, I will keep an update.

I am having some of the same doctor problems as you mentioned. It's hard to find a good one. I've also been having insurance issues (had to switch), as well as a recent 7,000 mile move, and just some other unfortunate things that make this process hard.

I know I have to do something about this soon, the symptoms have gotten a whole lot worse of the past few weeks. The last doctor's appointment I went to didn't go so well. The doctor said that my joint pain was probably due to "the cold" even though I told him I had been experiencing pain for over a year. He also said that it didn't seem like I was "actually interested in remaining healthy" because I wasn't laughing at his jokes. Basically I was sent home with some migraine abortives, he told me not to take more than 2 a week, and told me I might need a preventative if my headaches become more frequent. Even though I don't know how my headaches can be anymore frequent than every day. He wouldn't even listen to the fact that I had been seeing a neurologist and rheumatologist prior to moving into the area. It was very stressful and frustrating. Luckily my insurance is different now, and I hope to never see this doctor again.

My biggest concern right now is the fact that I've lost 3 inches of height in the past year. And I'm still young.